Overview
- Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal says negotiators are working daily to complete the text in time for leaders to consider an announcement at the summit.
- Key sticking points include the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and market access in industrial sectors such as steel and automobiles.
- Sensitive agricultural items from both sides, including dairy, have been kept outside the agreement, according to officials.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will be Republic Day chief guests and will co‑chair the Jan. 27 India–EU Summit.
- Piyush Goyal calls the pact the “mother of all deals,” as parallel security and information‑sharing accords are expected to be readied alongside the trade talks.